Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: NRL eyes new TV partner
SAINT, SINNER, SHOOSH: Channel 9’s broadcast deal is up at the end of next season and the NRL has eyes on a new free-to-air partner.
The NRL is about to enter talks with free-to-air networks to chase
a new TV deal that may not involve Channel 9 but could deliver the game a $750 million windfall from the end of next season.
Nine negotiated a cut-price broadcast deal midway through last season at the height of the COVID pandemic when there was concern about the viability of media companies and the future of all sporting rights around the world.
Nine’s deal is up at the end of next season and the NRL can’t just sit back and wait. They have locked in a seven-year agreement with Fox Sports but need certainty around a free-to-air arrangement for three weekly games, the grand final and the showpiece State of Origin series.
The NRL needs a free-to-air partner who is keen to support the code. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Nine is in a senior management transition stage with chief executive Hugh Marks standing down and the board still interviewing several candidates to replace him.
The network had a rich history in cricket broadcasting but pulled the pin two years ago. There are fears they could so the same with rugby league to save money.
Channel 9 has acquired all rugby union rights for Stan, its subscription streaming service, and is heavily promoting its launch during the Australian Open.
They are becoming known as a rah-rah, netball and tennis network rather than for the major sports.
Channel 9 appears to be taking a ‘niche sport’ focus and are failing to promote the NRL.
The NRL is closely monitoring Channel 7’s legal stoush with Cricket Australia.
The court verdict on Seven’s bid to dump cricket will determine their buying power for rugby league.
In these days of multiple channel free-to-air broadcasting, Seven has the capabilities to cover both league and AFL during winter months and completely dominate all markets.
Channel 10 was rumoured last year to be interested.
Although Nine has a contract for two more seasons, there is no legal issue with the NRL going into the market and fast-tracking talks to find a new partner from 2023 and beyond.
Both ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and CEO Andrew Abdo declined to comment because of sensitivity around the Channel 9 relationship.
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